Agriculture for the planet

THE G20 MUST ORIENT FARM POLICIES TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY AND NUTRITIONAL SECURITY

- ASHOK GULATI PURVI THANGARAJ

CHANDRAYAAN-3'S SUCCESSFUL LANDING on the Moon, and this quarter's (Q1FY24) GDP growth rate of 7.8%, will certainly bolster India's image at the upcoming G20 summit meeting scheduled on September 9-10, 2023.

India can showcase not only its scientific prowess in space technologies but also its management of the economy that is clocking the highest growth rate among G20 countries for two successive years.

This is surely going to be lauded by many, and prime minister Narendra Modi is likely to announce India's emergence on the global stage during this Amrit Kaal up to 2047, making science and economy deliver for humanity under the philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or 'One Earth, One Family, One Future! The question before us is: How can India with its G20 presidency walk the talk on benefiting the masses in the Global South, for whom food and nutritional security is still a challenge, and one that is exacerbated by climate change.

The likely answer to this question is embedded in the Deccan High-Level Principles as outlined in the 'Outcome Document and Chair's Summary" of the Agriculture Working Group (AWG) of the G20 nations held during June 15-17, 2023, in Hyderabad. The Deccan HighLevel Principles are: (i) Facilitate Humanitarian Assistance to Countries and Populations in Vulnerable Situations, (ii) Enhance Availability and Access to Nutritious Food and Strengthen Food Safety Nets, (iii) Strengthen Policies and Collaborative Actions for Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, (iv) Strengthen Resilience and Inclusivity in Agriculture and Food Value Chains, (v) Promote the One Health Approach, (vi) Accelerate Innovation and the Use of Digital Technology and (vii) Scale-Up Responsible Public and Private Investments in Agriculture.